O'Keeffe's remark tickled a raw nerve and a lot of criticism was directed his way. The audio or video clip of the comment isn't available but multiple reactions calling out the barb created noticeable buzz on Twitter.

Former cricketer Mark Waugh, who was O'Keeffe's co-commentator during the time he passed the statement, said that Agarwal’s first-class average of over 50 is like 40 in Australia, which was also not well received.

Mayank Agarwal has given a fitting reply to him and Kerry O Keefe who were ridiculing Indian domestic circuit as consisting of "Canteen XIs". They tried to undermine Agarwal's credentials too. More than Waugh, it was O Keefe who was offensive & borderline racist #AUSvsINDhttps://t.co/dVywAAA9eG — Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) December 26, 2018

A user reasoned India's success in Test cricket to its robust first-class system in place.

Well the Ranji Trophy is working, because we are no. 1 in test cricket.

While another user called for more sterner action to be taken by the broadcasters.

Kerry O’Keeffe can be insightful when he’s not playing the village idiot. But if he did make the alleged comments about “canteen staff and waiters” then he should be fired. Totally unacceptable. — Kevin Framp (@BigKev67) December 26, 2018

Later in the day, O’Keeffe sought to clear the air for his comments. As reported in news.com.au, he said “I was mentioning the runs Agarwal got in first-class cricket in India and there’s been a reaction,” he said. “There was no way I was demeaning the standard, it was tongue in cheek. There are lots of runs scored so apologies if anyone out there took offence.”

Waugh, too offered a clarification while replying to a user on Twitter.

All I said was averaging 50 in first class cricket in India is equivalent to averaging 40 in Aust mainly because of the number of players who achieve that. For the record Agarwal played very well in his 1st test innings.